Electric-light mast



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. A. SEYMOUR.

ELECTRIC LIGHT MAST.

Patented July 18, 1882.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet'Z. H. A. SEYMOUR.

ELECTRIC LIGHT MAST.

N0. 261,260. Patented July 18, 1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY A. SEYMOUR, OF \VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TOGEORGE STOCKLY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

ELECTRIC-LIGHT MAST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 261,260, dated July 18,1882.

Application filed February 13, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, HENRY A. SEYMOUR, ofWashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements 5 in Electric-Light Masts; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use the same.

[ My invention relates to an improvement in electric-light apparatus.

The object of my invention is to provide simple and efficient means forautomatically diverting the electric current through the lamp whenraised to its proper position for use, and

for automatically cutting the lamp out of circuit and shunting thecurrent around the lamp when the latter is lowered.

With these ends in view my invention consists in the combination, withthe main couductor of an electric lighting system, a pulley placed inthe circuitof said main conductor, and a switch for opening or closingthe circuit between said pulleys, of an electric lamp hav- 2 5 ing theends of short flexible conductors elec trically connected at one endwith the terminals of the lamp, and arranged to extend over the pulleysin the main circuit, and hemp, cotten, or other rope or cord made offibrous material secured to the other ends of said flexible conductors.

My invention further consists in certain other features of constructionand combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and

specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a viewin side elevation ofoneform of construction embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a modification.Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the up- 4.0 per portion of the tower orsupport, showing may be made of cast or wrought metal, and secured to asleeve, B, fitting over the upper end of the pole and resting on ashoulder, b, formed thereon. To the outer ends of the braces or supportsare secured the lower ends of the uprights C of the skeleton tower D.These uprights may be made of tubular metal or of angular iron rods, andmay be braced in any desired manner. Horizontal braces d are shown asbeing secured to the uprights; but, if desired, diagonal braces may alsobe employed. In Fig. 1 the skeleton tower is composed of three uprightsarranged in the form of a triangle, while in Fig. 2 four such uprightsare employed. The braces or supports may be strengthened by the rods d.To the upper ends of the uprights is secured a cap, D, to the under sideof which arejournaled the pulleys E E, which are insulated from the capand uprights byhavingtheir bearings mounted in insulated ornon-conducting supports.

F is a hinged switch, its endfbeing hinged to the metal stripf, which isplaced in electrical connection with the pulley E, while its free end fcloses against a metal strip, f placed in electrical connection with thepulley E. The switch is retained in its closed position by means ofaspring, G; or a weight might be used for this purpose.

H represents one end of the main conductor, which is electricallyconnected with the pulley E, and H is the other end of the mainconductor, placed in electrical connection with the pulley E. Thus itwill be observed that when the switch is closed the electric currentwill flow from the end H of the conductor to the pulley E, over themetal strip f the switch F, metal strip f, and pulley E to the otherend, H, of the main conductor.

I will now proceed to describe the construction and arrangement of partsfor operating the lamp.

I represents an electric lamp, and K K are flexible metal conductors,preferably wire rope, having their ends secured in electrical connectionwith the terminals L L of the lamp. The flexible metal conductors passover the pulley E E and in electrical connection therewith. The otherends of the conductors K K are socured by jointed couplings M to thehemp or I00 cotton ropes or cords N N, which extend down and arepreferably attached to the windingdrumsO O, secured to a shaft, P,mounted in suitable bearings fastened to the top of the mast -or pole.When the lamp is raised the non-conducting block 0 on the chimney ortube Q strikes the switch and raises it, thereby opening the shortcircuit, and causin g the current to pass from one of the pulleys overone of the flexible conductors to and through the lamp, and from thesame through the other flexible conductor and pulley. When the lamp islowered the switch is closed by the spring or weight, therebyshort-circuiting the current around the lamp, and as the lamp continuesto descend the flexible metal conductors are disconnected from theirpulleys, thereby rendering it impossible for any currents to flowthrough the lamp when it is in its lowered position for cleansing or therenewal of the carbons. By employing the ordinary hemp or cotton ropesfor raising and lowering the lamp the operation is rendered much easierthan would be the case if the entire rope were made of flexible metal;and, further, the cost is reduced and the safety of the apparatusenhanced.

The complete mast or tower may be made of any desired length, the partsthereof being arranged to secure ample strength and stiffness, while itoccupies but little space at the sidewalk or spot where it may beerected.

I make no claim to the tower or mast in this patent, but reserve theright to secure protection for said improvement by a separate patent.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with pulleys electrically connected with the mainconductor, and a switch for opening andclosing the circuit between saidpulleys, said switch provided with devices rendering it self-closing, ofan electric la mp having flexible conductors connected with itsterminals, and carried over said pulleys and attached to non-conductingconnections, said lamp being arranged to have its chimney or tube openthe switch when the lamp is raised to the desired position for use,substantially as set forth. a

2. The combination, with the pulleys placed in electrical connectionwith the main conductor, of an electric lamp having short flexibleconductors electrically connected with its terminals, said conductorsextending around said pulleys, and hemp or equivalent rope attached tothe other ends of the short flexible conductors, substantially as setforth.

3. The combination, with pulleys placed in the circuit of the mainconductor, and a switch for opening and closing the circuit between thepulleys, of an electric lamp arranged to auto inatically open thecircuit when elevated to its proper position for use, saidlamp havingshort flexible conductors attached to its terminals and extending oversaid pulleys, and hemp or equivalent rope attached to the other ends ofthe short flexible conductors, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

HENRY A. SEYMOUR.

Witnesses:

HERMAN MORAN,

F. O. MGCLEARY.

